About Hip Arthritis

Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis, and trauma-related arthritis are the most common causes of joint damage. Read more about trauma-related arthritis here.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is still not completely understood and there is no cure. Different factors may play a role in OA, including age, weight, trauma or overuse. The disease, common in people over 60, can occur at younger ages. Osteoarthritis causes the normally smooth joint surfaces to wear away. This results in:

• Bone-on-bone contact
• Pain
• Stiffness

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, meaning it may attack any or all joints in the body. It differs from OA in the following ways:

• Affects women more often than men
• Can strike young and old alike
• Causes destruction of the joint by severe inflammation

Trends in Arthritis
A study from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) has found that OA can have a significant impact on your everyday life. Many sufferers are less active, gain weight, lose sleep, and watch more TV. In addition, OA has been impacting people at an earlier age and causes sufferers to feel “old” before their time.

If you’re interested in reducing your pain and regaining more natural motion, hip replacement may be right for you. Continue exploring this site and speak with your doctor to learn more about your options.

Next: About Traumatic Hip Injuries